Discussion About Changing Diapers on Planes

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Airplanes Make Diaper Life Tricky

To keep the skies friendly, parents usually arm themselves with diapers, wipes and cream for unpredictable messy moments when traveling. Before boarding, many moms rush to the nearest bathroom for a quick last minute change that will hopefully (and doubtfully) last the duration of the flight.

Only the lucky few escape without at least one diaper change on board. When that not so magical moment arrives, a mother must decide her fate: change on the seat, floor, or across the trays — yes, some people do that. It seems that the most logical option would be the changing table in the bathroom. But what happens when there's no changing table in the lavatory? Such is the dilemma that many jet-setting mommies are finding themselves in lately.

Most airlines have updated fleets that now include changing tables in their lavatories. However, there are still some older birds that have yet to be babyproofed. In those cases, a parent must decide: floor, seats, lap or table trays (yick). How do you change your tot up in the air?

I recently flew Southwest and had to change my son in the bathroom and the table worked great for me. I was able to store the diaper bag on the closed toilet under the table and wash my hands with my son on the table since it was such close quarters.

How exactly do you wipe and clean the area if they're standing up..? it IS important to wipe them every diaper change, it drives me nuts when people never wipe their kids. I dont think id want someone having them stand up to change the diaper.. a quick lie down on a lap for a wet diaper, still works for us if i have no space, and my daughter is 16 months and 34 inches now.

How exactly do you wipe and clean the area if they're standing up..? it IS important to wipe them every diaper change, it drives me nuts when people never wipe their kids.
I dont think id want someone having them stand up to change the diaper.. a quick lie down on a lap for a wet diaper, still works for us if i have no space, and my daughter is 16 months and 34 inches now.

I just flew with my 3 month old and it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Jet Blue had pretty big changing tables, especially considering how small those airplane bathrooms are. We even got a cute little pair of wings from one of the attendants at the end of the flight. Though I learned on that flight that the days windows seats are over- always go for the aisle seats.I'm not so sure about changing the child on your lap. Unless there's no changing table in the bathroom... I would be pretty grossed out if someone did it right next to me on a plane.

I just flew with my 3 month old and it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Jet Blue had pretty big changing tables, especially considering how small those airplane bathrooms are. We even got a cute little pair of wings from one of the attendants at the end of the flight. Though I learned on that flight that the days windows seats are over- always go for the aisle seats.
I'm not so sure about changing the child on your lap. Unless there's no changing table in the bathroom... I would be pretty grossed out if someone did it right next to me on a plane.

5 years

I've traveled over 30 flights with my now 18 month old, starting at 1 week. I changed her in my lap when she was really little. Now that she can walk, I change her standing up in my lap if she's just wet. My last flight I had a really snotty person next to me and there was no changing table on the plane. So, the stewardess let me change her in the galley area, on the floor. I had a pad, and when some snotty person made a comment, she told them to shove it! LOL She had a baby at home about the same age as me and she said it gets on her nerves when people have such bad attitudes. It they say something about it, she tells them "what if I told you that you must sit in your soiled pants for the whole trip?" She said it shuts them up quick. Its let me change her, or listen to her cry!

5 years

My husband changed our 14 mo old son in the airplane bathroom and they both came back so stressed out and my son without pants on. I had to soothe both of them until they were calm, and my husband swore he'd never subject our son to that again. So-- I guess we'll be lap-pers! :)

At first, I figured this would be really tricky, but then I remembered our first trip with my daughter when she was 3 months old. We drove 13 hours to see my mother in law, and I changed Kairi on my lap in the back seat to save on trips into the disgusting gas station bathrooms. We had a miniscule Hyundai Accent at the time... They are SMALL, small enough that we had to put the front seat up as far as it would go, pratically on the dashboard, to be able to fit the car seat behind it.

5 years

Yah, it's tricky even when there is a changing table. We moved across the country when my baby was not even 3 weeks old. The table came down at an angle so it was difficult to keep our son from sliding around, and there was turbulence too. No fun. We're flying again in a few weeks (he's 3 months now) and I might just change him on my lap to save the hassle.

I was lucky enough to not have to worry about this while traveling with my kids. It is true....the bathrooms are not convenient for diaper changing!

5 years

I just had this encounter last Friday. Since there were four of us traveling (one was a lap child) I had the two adults vacate their seats so I could change the baby. I did put down a changing pad and kept everything contained. It really was not as big of an issue. Had it been my 2.5 year old it would be a different experience entirely.